"And likewise money," said the Colonel, nodding, gravely.
"So, Colonel, if you'll promise not to bet, I've no objection to your attending the races in moderation."
In delighted amazement the Colonel forgot that that last julep could be brought to a quick end by hurried management and took a hasty and a mammoth swallow. "What!" he cried. "Can I believe it? Miss 'Lethe, you're an angel! It's the last drop in my cup of happiness!"
Miss Alathea shyly smiled—smiled, indeed, a bit shame-facedly. "There's one condition, Colonel—that you take me along—yes, to watch over you."
"Take you with me?" said the Colonel. He paused in puzzled contemplation of her for an instant. "Oh, I catch on. You'll go with the children to see the animals!" He laughed. "You rather like it." He became enthusiastic. "No more knot-holes or trees for us! At last—two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat when Queen Bess won! Here's to our future happiness!"
He raised the glass and would have drunk from it, but, now, alas! the glass was empty. It surprised and grieved him, but, when Miss Alathea held her hand out, quietly, for the vessel which had held the final julep but which now held it no longer, he yielded it up gracefully nor asked her to refill it.
As Miss Alathea placed the empty glass upon the side-board Madge entered from the hallway. She ran up to the Colonel. "I heard you'd come," she said, "an' couldn't wait. Say, air it all fixed about Queen Bess?"
"Fixed?" cried the gallant horseman. "Well I should remark! Queen Bess is sold and paid for and a draft for the assessment forwarded to the Company. Inside of a year Frank will have the income of a prince."
"All," said Miss Alathea, "owing to that mysterious jockey who disappeared immediately after the race. Oh, I'd like to kiss that boy!"
"If you did, I should not be jealous," said the Colonel with an air of generosity.